Two brothers arrested on suspicion of 13 combined felonies committed in Lincoln Heights

Sept. 30, 2020 Updated Wed., Sept. 30, 2020 at 8:40 p.m.

By Maggie Quinlan maggieq@spokesman.com (509) 459-5135

Police suspect two brothers of a combined 13 felonies after they found the pair walking away from a stolen Tesla with other stolen property from the vehicle’s owner on both men.

As Spokane police drove to the 1700 block of East 18th Avenue to respond to a burglary call, the department also got a report of a Tesla blocking the road several miles from the victim’s house, according to a SPD news release. The release didn’t specify when the incident happened.

The caller gave Crime Check the license plate, which showed the car was registered to the Lincoln Heights burglary victim, the release said.

Three officers arrived near the Tesla and found two men walking away from the car.

Officers detained both men and identified them as Dennis R. Sprayberry, 34, and Elijah R. Sprayberry, 21. Dennis Sprayberry initially told police he didn’t know the other person being arrested, the release said.

While trying to remove a knife from Dennis Sprayberry’s pants pocket, officers saw a Tesla key card and arrested him. Later, officers found his identification inside the Tesla. Both men were in possession of some of the victim’s stolen property, the release said.

Both men are convicted felons. Dennis Sprayberry’s most recent convictions are two counts of first-degree robbery. Elijah Sprayberry’s most recent conviction is third-degree assault, according to the release.

Tuesday, Dennis Sprayberry was arrested on suspicion of six counts of possession of stolen property, plus possession of a stolen car, residential burglary, possession of dangerous weapons, and making or having car theft tools, the release said.

Police arrested Elijah Sprayberry on suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property, three counts of second-degree possession of stolen property, five counts of third-degree possession of stolen property and possession of a stolen car, plus a Department of Corrections warrant, according to the release.

The brothers were booked into Spokane County Jail.